Grille panel construction



Sept 15, 1931 o. K. SCHNEIDER 1,822,909

GR ILLE PANEL CONS TRUCT I 0N Filed Nov. 16, 1929 ny'e MZZJ".

Patented Sept. 15, 1931 Lazise P al Litt?? OSCAR K. SCHNEIDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNOR 'IO HARRINGTON 6r, KING PER- N FORATING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS GRILLE PANEL CONSTRUCTION Application led November 16, 1929. Serial No. 47,59?.

This invention relates to grille panel construction such as that employed for heating and Ventilating ducts, radiatorl casings, for various architectural features, and similar y purposes. Grilles of this general type are usually made of sheet metal, either perforat-v ed plate, or cast plate with the design cored therein, and in practically all cases the grilles must be made especially for each individual installation or job, partially because of preference for certain designs, but primarily because of the size grille required. To make up a grille especially for each job requires some period of time and makes the grille 1'5 rather costly. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce an improved grille panel construction, such that a substantial stock of grilles of certain standard designs may be carried by the manufacturer, and be readily adapted to the majority of installations by merely cutting to proper size. A further object is to produce an improved construction which will considerably reduce the cost of manufacture and also permit` filling the majority of orders more eX- peditiously. A still further object is to produce an improved grille panel construction which is durable and ornamental and in which the grille proper is supported on its mounting without direct Contact with the fastening elements. It consists in certain features and elements of construction herein shown and described, as indicated by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary view of a corner of a grille panel construction embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view through the grille and its frame, taken as indicated at the line 2--2 on Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section view taken substantially as indicated at line 83 on Figure l.

Figure 4c is a perspective view of the frame corner fitting.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the washn er member for holding the frame members against lateral shifting with respect to the grille.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a special washer for use with the corner fitting.

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing the method of assembling the parts for handling prior to mounting the grille in its final location.

The grille proper, which is indicated generally at A, is preferably made of sheet metal, either as a perforated plate or cast plate, and it is to be understood thatgrilles of this character may be furnished in vari- "6o ous shapes and sizes. The grille panel or plate has formed therein an open work all over design extending over its entire area, and herein shown consisting of square openings, 10, spaced to form relatively narrowf bridges, ll.- The openings in the grille may be of various conventional shapes, as circles, heXagons, etc., or special artistic combinations thereof, and the width of the bridges between openings may be varied to suit the particular artistic design or may be dictated by the use of the grille; in the case of heating and Ventilating ducts, it is preferable to obtain a maximum percentage of open area.

Heretofore it has been the practice to form the grille with a solid margin or border, partly for enhancing the appearance of the grille and also to provide substantial means for securing the grille to a mounting. This re. quired the grille to be made up in an exact LA80 size with its integral border especially for each particular installation, because it was practically an impossibility for ythe manufac turer to carry a stock of grilles of all the various sizes which might be specified and of several standard designs. By the present invention the manufacturer may make up relatively large size plates corresponding approximately to a maximum size grille with m the various standard designs extending over their entire areas, and these plates may be quicklycut up in smaller sizes (if need be) to suit the particular installation. Separate framing is provided to replace the solid margin or border of the prior type of grille, and it includes corner fittings, 13, and side members, 14, which may be quickly and easily assembled and applied to the marginal edges of the grille, A. For further economy, and to expedite the fabrication of the grille unit, i9@

'ist

the frame members, 14, may also be produced in relatively long pieces and then cutI in the desired lengths to lit a particular size grille.

As illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings the frame members are made from a piece of sheet metal folded upon itself in spaced apart relation to form a longitudinal space, 15, into the ends of which are telescoped the tongue extensions, 16, of the corner fittings, 13. The upper outer edges of the framing members are bent downward to form flanges, 17, adapted, when said members overlie the marginal edges of the grille, to enclose the lateral edges of said grille; preferably these flanges, 17, are dimensioned to extend slightly below the under surface of the grille, as seen in F igure 2.

The corner fittings may be either castings or Sheet metal stampings of a form consistent with the angle of jointure of the adjacent ends of a pair of contiguous frame members. These fittings are of hollow box shape and preferably have the upper surface suitably embossed as at 18. to enhance their decorative appearance. rlfhese fittings, when used for a single corner, are provided with the tongue extensions, 1G, on two adjacent sides, and while the remaining' lateral area may take various shapes, they are preferably formed angularly with two depending skirt flanges, 19, adapted to overlap the lateral edges of the corners of the grille to complete the enclosure of its marginal edfres. For a purpose which will hereinafter appear, these anges, 19, are dimensioned to be spaced laterally away from the edges of the grille. lf two grilles are to be assembled side by side it is apparent vthat the fittings at the common corners must be provided with three tongue extensions to engage the three intersecting frame members.

It will now be apparent that due to the tongue and groove connections the frame members and corner ttings are preferably pre-assembled and positioned to overlie the marginal edges of the grille plate preparatory to mounting'. To save time and to render the mounting operation more accurate and expeditious, the grille proper is supported on its mounting indicated at B, without direct engagement by the fastening elements. F or accomplishing this the special washer members, 21, are positioned to cooperate with the fastening elements for transmitting the stressesfrom the elements to the grille plate. These washers are preferably metal stampings having an embossed portion, 22, of a shape corresponding to the outline of a design opening, 10, and extending' above its flange, 23, a height approximating the thickness of the grille plate. The embossed portions of the washers are adapted to engage in the openings, 10, registering with the corner fittings so that the fastening elements herein shown as screws, 24, extend through the corner fittings and said washers into the mounting B; it being understood that, conditions permitting, a bolt would serve equally well as a means for securement. rlhe flanges, 23, of the washers are preferably of a thickness corresponding to the amount of extension of the frame flanges, 17, below the grille plate, so as to insure a true, even mounting of the grille unit.

Two adjacent edgesof the flange, 23, of the washer are formed with upright flanges, 25, dimensioned to embrace the corner edges of the grille plate, as seen in Figure 3, and positioned to substantially abut against the inner surfaces of the skirt flanges, 19, of the corner fittings for reinforcing the latter, and also serving to position the washer on the grille.

l/Vhere the grille unit is of considerable size, it is frequently desirable to furnish atl-,.85 ditional fastening elements, and as shown,` screws, 27, are provided at suitable intervals extending through the frame members, and through the openings, 10, of the grille `into the mounting. For these additional connections washer members, 28, (substantially like washers, 21, except that the flanges, 25, are omitted) are associated with the screws and have embossed portions, 29, seated in the opening,

10, of the grille. Thus the weight of the grille IH`95 unit may be distributed to a number of supporting elements. It will be seen that the washers, 21, and 28, serve to prevent lateral shifting of the framing on the grille plate,

in addition to the positioning effect of the cle-1,00 pending flanges, 17, of the frame members, and the skirt portions, 19, of the corner fittings.

In mounting a grille unit of considerable size it may be found inconvenient to handlefl95 the grille plate and assembled framing as separate parts; and it may therefore be desirable to pre-assemble the frame members and the grille A, by securing them together at suitable intervals, by means of bolts (not 1,10 shown), also employing the washers, 28, to insure proper positioning of the framing on the grille. Such pre-assembling of a corner of the frame is indicated in Figure 7 showing a bolt, 30, and nut, 31, inserted in the corner 1,15 fitting, 13, and the special washer, 2l.`

My improved grille panelconstruction has a further advantage in that it may be readily cut to a desired size in the lield, by means of a hack saw or shear. The normal relation of ,1,20 the inside of the framing to the opening of the mounting B may be varied slightly, independently of the spacing of the design openings, and the width of the fra-me will readily accommodate such variations by par- 25 tially overlapping the openings if desired.

1. ln a construction of the characterindicated, a grille panel of sheet material having formed therein an open work all-over design 130 intending over its entire area; framing members mounted adjacent the marginal edges ot said grille panel; corner littings interposed between the adjacent ends ot said trame members, and means for securing said grille panel to a mounting with the trame members and corner iittings assembled in place thereon, said corner ittings having projections adapted to be telescoped into the ends of the adjacent trame members for securing the latter in place.

2. ln a construction ot the character indicated, a grille panel ot sheet material having termed therein an open work all-over design extending over its entire area; framing members mounted adjacent the marginal edges oi said grille panel; corner fittings interposed between the adjacent ends ot said trame members, and means tor securing said. grille panel to a mounting` with the trame members and corner iittings assembled in place thereon, said trame members being formed ot sheet metal folded upon itself in spaced apart relation, and the corner iittings being provided with cooperative tongue extensions adapted to be telescoped between said spaced ap artportions or" the trame members.

23. ln a construction of the character indicated, a grille panel of sheet material having termed therein an open Work all-over design extending ver its entire area, framing members overlying the grille adjacent its marginal edges, corner iittings interposed between the adjacent ends ot the trame members, means in registration With design openings ot the grille panel tor securing said grille panel to a mounting with the trame members and corner fittings assembled in place thereon, and washer members associated with said securing means adapted to engage the margins ot said registering design openings ot the grille panel for preventing` lateral shg ot said trame members and the corner iittings relative to said grille panel.

ln the construction deiined in claim 3, said Washer members each including an embossed portion e-daptecL to substantially oc- P ci ov one ot said registered openings in the ,e ine panel and a transverse flange adapted to seat against the back side ot the grille.

5. ln a construction ot the character indicated, a grille panel otl sheet material having 'formed therein an open Work all-over design extending over its entire area, traming members overlying the grille panel adj acent its marginal edges, corner tittings interposed between the adjacent ends ot the trame members, the trame members and corner littings having inter-engaging tongue and `groove connections each corner titting being disposed in registration with a design opening, means eng ging the corner fitting tor securing said grille panel to a mounting with the trame members assembled in place thereon, and Washer members associated with said securing means and engaging in said registered openings of the grille panel adapted to prevent lateral shitting of said corner littin gs and the trame members with respect to the grille panel.

6. Sin a construction ot the character indicated, a grille panel ot sheet material having formed therein an open Work all-over design extending substantially over its entire area, framing members overlying said grille panel adjacent its marginal edges, corner fittings interposed between the adjacent ends ot said i'rame members, said corner fittings 'being provided with depending portions overlapping the adjacent marginal edges ot the grille panel, means engaging said corner fittings and extending through a design opening ot the grille for securing it to a mounting with the trame members assembled thereon, and Washer members associated With the securing means provided at two adjacent edges with upturned flanges adapted to be disposed adjacent the inside :taces ot the depending skirt portions ot the corner fittings.

7. As an article ot manufacture, a sheet metal stamping consisting ot a flat area having an embossed portion formed With edges extending substantially perpendicular to the remaining fiat area; tWo contiguous edges ot' the flat area being provided With upstanding flanges. e

8. ln a construction ot the character indicated, a grille panel ot sheet material having formed therein an open work all-over design extending over its entire are-a; framing members overlying said grille panel adjacent its marginal edges and each provided at its outer edge with a depending iiange adapted to overlap the outer edge ot said grille panel and terminating substantially flush With the rear side'thereo't; corner fittings interposed between the adjacent ends of the 'trame members and overlying the grille panel, said littings being provided at the sides adjacent the marginal edges et the grille panel with repending skirt portions adapted to complete the enclosure ot the marginal edges ot said grille panel, and means tor securing said Y grille panel to a mounting With the trame members and corner fittings assembled in place thereon.

9. ln a construction of the character indicated, a grille panel ot sheet material having `formed therein an open Work all-over design extending over its entire area; Jfiaming members overlying the marginal edges ot said grille panel; iittings interposed between the adjacent ends of said frame members, said trame members and fittings having` inter-engaging tongue and groove connections for preventing lateral shitting ot one 'frame member ,with respect to another, each fitting -being disposed in registration with a design opening of the grille panel; means engaging said fittings for securing the grille panel to a mounting with the frame members assembled in place thereon, and means associated With said securing means and engaging in said registered design openings of the grille panel for preventing lateral shifting of said ittings and the connected frame members with respect to said grille panel.

OSCAR K. SCHNEIDER. 

